Plan to fast-track allowing convicted felon Trump to vote bashed by leading Florida paper

A plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to jump Donald Trump to the front of the line so that the Florida Clemency Board can restore his ability to vote after being convicted of multiple felonies was hammered by the Miami Herald.

As the paper notes, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 that would restore voting rights for convicted felons as long as their crimes did not involve violent crimes or sex offenses, but DeSantis has thrown up roadblocks that needlessly delay the process.

As the Herald's editorial board wrote, "The line of Black and Hispanic people waiting to get their voting rights restored is miles long, despite the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition doing its best to streamline the process. Yes, the clemency board has broad authority to restore rights. The challenge under DeSantis has been when people of color try to get their voting rights restored and face barriers."

However, with Trump convicted of 34 felony counts of business fraud in Manhattan, DeSantis is interceding on the former president's behalf so that he can, presumably, vote for himself in November. Trump is a Florida resident, having switched from New York five years ago.

With DeSantis boasting on X, "The bottom line is that Donald Trump’s vote this November will be one of millions that demonstrate Florida is now a solid Republican state!” the Herald took the stance that he should get in line like every other felon and wait his turn.

"DeSantis should apply the same rules he plans to use to help felonious Trump to all the people who qualify under the constitutional amendment that voters approved six long years ago. That would be equal justice," they wrote.

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